home-cooking

It's no surprise that Joanna Gaines' first cookbook Magnolia Table is a bestselling hit. Fans were lined up waiting for the Fixer Upper star's recipes and they were not disappointed. Reviews for the new cookbook have been overwhelmingly positive and it's easy to see why: Gaines' recipes are thoughtful and geared towards busy families in addition to just being plain tasty.

One recipe, in particular, has been getting a lot of attention. Joanna Gaines fried chicken recipe is one of the stars of the cookbook. You might the dinner staple doesn't need a new recipe, but Gaines' take on the dish walks you through the steps that make the chicken extra good and one surprising addition that makes the dish extra special.

The folks over at Delish highlighted Gaines' three tips. First, she prefers halved chicken breasts but notes that you can use any pieces bone-in chicken you like.

Second, you should soak the cut up chicken overnight in buttermilk, allowing the muscle tissue to break down so that it is nice and tender. The buttermilk also helps the breading adhere to the meat, meaning you get a nice crisp crust when it's fried.

Third, Gaines makes a sticky poppy seed jam to drizzle on the crispy skin of the chicken post-frying and the tangy sweet taste of the jam pushes the chicken into must-have territory. The citrus tang comes from fresh orange juice and fresh lemon juice, while the sweet comes from honey and a little bit of dark brown sugar (a flavor combo that is always a winner with fried chicken).

We've rounded up a few recipes below from what is sure to become a much-loved cookbook for years to come.

Joanna Gaines Fried Chicken Recipe

Gaines notes that fried chicken seems like it takes a lot of work, but you don't need any special equipment. If you've got a deep, heavy pot, you're good to go. The sticky poppy seed jam is quick to make and it works just as well on biscuits as it does on the chicken.

Mom's Bulgogi

Magnolia Table is, at heart, a collection of family recipes. Gaines' mother grew up in Seoul, South Korea, and she still makes this recipe for Chip and Joanna and their kids. Gaines says in the headnote for the recipe that it's her kids' favorite food and she had to include it in this collection.